WILLOW WOOD - It'll be brawn vs. balance.

The Symmes Valley Vikings will pit their power running game against the Zanesville Rosecrans Bishops balanced attack when the teams meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Division VI Region 23 quarterfinals of the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs.

Running back Cory Burcham leads a backfield that combines power and speed. The other weapons for the Vikings are fullback Justin Holland, halfback Derek Carpenter and quarterback Craig Neal.

"Burcham is a pretty tough kid," Rosecrans coach Don Bush said. "We've seen them in games where they just slug it out. Their offense is very sound and they're very disciplined. They don't make mistakes."

Bush said Vikings coach Rusty Webb's style of play reminded him of Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.

"He's got a Jim Tressel-like philosophy. He keeps it close, doesn't make mistakes and gives himself a chance to win."

But don't start feeling too sorry for the Bishops who have a 1,000-yard passer in quarterback Scott Moyer and a 1,000-yard rusher in tailback Jonathan Gaudio.

"We're pretty balanced. We're going to do what we can do. If we can't run, we'll throw," Bush said.

Webb, who has guided the Vikings to three playoff appearances, said Rosecrans will test his team's secondary.

"It'll be his wide receivers against our secondary, which means we're going to have to get a pass rush," Webb said. "Moyer has a lot of weapons to throw to and our secondary and linebackers are going to have to step up."

While the Vikings have some talent at the skilled positions, Webb said Rosecrans is loaded with speed in its versatile offense and that Moyer, Gaudio and fullback Johnny Bills are the key trio.

"Moyer runs the ball well. When he drops back to pass, he looks to throw first and run second. But when he does take off, he's a very good runner," Webb said. "His tailback is very good and he runs the ball effectively. Their fullback blocks well, runs well, and catches the ball out of the backfield well."

Both teams utilize a 4-4 defense and Bush said the teams "mirror each other." Still, Bush said he has a lot of concerns defensing the Vikings.

"Their size is a concern, but our quickness creates some problems. The field conditions could make a difference. This game could be 45-40 or 3-0," Bush said. "We've been a 'bend but don't break' defense. We make plays when we have to make the stops. They play the same type of defense. They fly to the football pretty well."

Webb said the Bishops are not big on defense, but they get off blocks well and run to the ball. He said their offense is small as well, but they still pose problems for the Vikings defense.

"They're not real big, but they have good skilled players and their offensive line does a nice job of pass blocking. They're very, very athletic," Webb said.

"This is a completely different team to us than we've seen all season. We haven't seen anybody like this in terms of formations and what they do."

The Vikings (8-1) will be hosting a playoff game for the first time. Bush said his team will have to find a way to overcome the homefield advantage and playoff experience from last season in the Vikings favor.

"They have playoff experience and they're on their home field. That's a plus for them," Bush said. "We have to get some momentum and take control of the game. We have to take advantage of our opportunities."